Breaking the Size Limitation of Directly-Synthesized PbS Quantum Dot Inks Toward Efficient Short-wavelength Infrared Optoelectronic Applications

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2023 Apr 17;62(17):e202300396. doi: 10.1002/anie.202300396. Epub 2023 Mar 17.

Abstract

PbS quantum dots (QDs) are promising building blocks for solution-processed short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) devices. The recently developed direct synthesis of semi-conductive PbS QD inks has substantially simplified the preparation processing and reduced the material cost, while facing the challenge to synthesize large-size QDs with absorption covering the SWIR region. Herein, we for the first time realize a low-cost, scalable synthesis of SWIR PbS QD inks after an extensive investigation of the reaction kinetics. Finally, based on these PbS SWIR QD inks, the solar cell demonstrates a record-high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.44 % through an 1100 nm cutoff silicon filter and the photodetector device shows a low dark current density of 2×10-6 A cm-2 at -0.8 V reverse bias with a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 70 % at ≈1300 nm. Our results realize the direct synthesis of low-cost and scalable SWIR QD inks and may accelerate the industrialization of consumer SWIR technologies.

Keywords: PbS; Photodetector; Quantum Dots; Short-Wavelength Infrared; Solar Cells.